The Seventh Year: A Sabbatical Blog

I still recall how, with my bag on a pole, I forgot my yesterdays.
Wandered the hills, played in the water, went to the land of the clouds.
The lift of an eyebrow, the blink of an eye -- all of it samadhi.
In this great world there is nowhere that is not a wisdom hall.

Friday, December 18, 2009

I just can't seem to stop myself... the latest blog is "Five Directions," and is a companion to my consulting business. This is a place where I will post ideas and tips about cultural insights and skillful communications, and how they can help you understand and connect with your audience — whether you run your own business, direct a nonprofit, or are simply interested in the everyday impact of culture and communication. I look forward to seeing you over there!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

I've started up a new blog called The Jizo Chronicles, which focuses on socially engaged Buddhism. Originally, I thought that I'd start blogging on culture and communication as way to extend the reach of Five Directions Consulting -- and I still will. But the inspiration to write more about engaged Buddhism, a subject close to my heart, arose first and so here we go! I hope you'll visit the new blog and add your comments.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

I haven't written in this blog for more than 6 months and so this is a good time to officially close it down, as this sabbatical period of my life has wound down as well. I am grateful to now be fully engaged with building my consulting business, Five Directions, as well as continuing to settle into my new home here in Santa Fe.

In the near future, I'll start a new blog connected to my work... I'll be writing on themes of cultural insights and communication tips, especially as they relate to nonprofit organizations (or as a friend of mine prefers to call them, social profits!). I'll post the url for that blog when it's ready. In the meantime, many thanks to all of you who have read and commented on this blog, and all the best to those of you who are on your own sabbaticals and journeys of discovery.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

A sign that this year-long sabbatical and nomadic journey is winding down… after many months of living in temporary homes, Gina and I are finally settling into a beautiful casita on Cerro Gordo Road in Santa Fe, NM. It’s practically right next door to Upaya Zen Center where I practice meditation and do some of my work. And up the road in the other direction, one of our neighbors is Ella, a Sicilian Miniature donkey. Life can’t get any more perfect than this…

When I started this sabbatical almost exactly a year ago, I had no idea where I would end up, or what people and opportunities would show up along the way. One of my intentions was simply to create more space in my life for the universe to surprise me and support me, and that is exactly what has happened.

Even though my life seems to be falling into more structure now around where I live and the work I am doing, I hope to always keep that spirit of openness, spaciousness, and surprise alive. I am deeply grateful for this past year.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Once again, I've fallen off the blogging bandwagon. Since the last post, right after the Inauguration, I've been buzzing around -- to Washington, D.C., to Pasadena, CA, and then back to Santa Fe in time for greeting 24 new chaplaincy students in Upaya's Buddhist Chaplaincy Program, and in time for juniper allergy season!

The D.C. trip was for work purposes. I gave a short presentation on the use of meditation with care providers, as part of a symposium co-organized with the U.S. Army. Every time I go to D.C., I am always so impressed by the architectural beauty of that city... this time around, stayed right next to the National Cathedral.

Pasadena was for a visit with family... it rained heavily, which is pretty unusual there but much needed.

Kindred spirits

About This Blog

I am an anthropologist, writer, editor, and human being... a gregarious introvert, a nomad who loves to come back home. My mission: to soften suffering.

Some of the questions I'm using my life to explore right now (maybe you have them too):
* What and where is home?
* How can I simplify my life so that I'm giving my energy to what I really love, not just trying to survive?
* How can I best respond to a world in distress?